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They have prompted the city council to declare a series of ‘air-quality management areas’ since 2005, requiring it to draw up measures and work with other organisations, such as the county council, to reduce pollution.

The first action plan, produced in 2007, has now been updated.

Mrs Martlew said: “Hopefully, the opening of the Carlisle Northern Development Route will make a significant difference. It is too soon to tell yet but by this time next year we should have a better picture.

“We hope that some of the problem areas will improve significantly.”

The link from the A595 at Newby West to M6 junction 44 at Kingstown opened in February.

It allows through traffic to bypass the city centre. Early indications are that it has cut congestion by a fifth.

Mrs Martlew added: “Air quality does affect a lot of people, especially those with chest conditions, some of the very young and the elderly. It is very important we do what we can to minimise emissions.”

Other ideas in the action plan include planting trees and remodelling Caldcotes roundabout outside McVitie’s.

The council will insist that large-scale housing developers produce air-quality management plans and perhaps pay towards improvements to public transport.

It has also pledged to promote bus use and cycling.

A final version of the action plan will be submitted to Ministers for approval later this summer.

Have your say

The bypass may make a difference to the air quality around these 'hot spots' but what about those routes the cars now take to get to the bypass and off the bypass to Kingstown road.Hartley avanue and Kingmoor road have become rat runs for cars getting to Morrisons, Aldi and Asda. There has never been standing traffic on these roads, you should see it now!

Posted by andrea renton on
17 July 2012 at 12:03

In this time of cut backs just think of the money saved if we got rid of all traffic lights in Carlisle that nobody wants !!